Rambo: Still killing after all those years

January 25, 2008|By The Fresno Bee

It worked with "Rocky." Sylvester Stallone went back to that film franchise after a 16-year hiatus to make the 2006 release "Rocky Balboa." Now, Stallone is going back to the only other film franchise that has worked for him. After almost 20 years, John Rambo is back in "Rambo," opening Friday. Here's a look at the "Rambo" canon.

First Blood (1982)

Stars: Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy

The setup: Rambo gets on the bad side of a small town sheriff (Dennehy) who has him arrested. Big mistake. The Vietnam veteran escapes. A manhunt starts in the mountainous area around the small town.

Tough Rambo moment: After Rambo's right bicep gets cut when he falls through trees after leaping off a cliff, he sews the wound himself.

Bad dialogue: After Rambo captures the sheriff, he tells him: "In town, you are the law. Out here, it's me. Don't push it. Or I'll give you a war you won't believe."

Rambo: First Blood II (1985)

Stars: Stallone, Crenna, Charles Napier

The setup: Col. Trautman (Crenna) sends Rambo on a mission into Vietnam to find proof that prisoners of war still are being held. Government agent Marshall Murdock (Napier) expects the mission to fail. He doesn't count on Rambo's determination.

Tough Rambo moment: He is tortured with bedsprings that are electrified.

Bad dialogue: When told he would be going back into Vietnam, Rambo asks Col. Trautman, "Do we get to win this time?" Col. Trautman replies, "This time, it's up to you."

Rambo III (1988)

Stars: Stallone, Crenna, Kurtwood Smith

The setup: Rambo, living in a monastery, is asked by Col. Trautman to join him on a mission to Afghanistan. Rambo declines. But when the colonel gets captured, Rambo goes in alone.

Tough Rambo moment: After Rambo removes a foreign object lodged in his right side, he cauterizes the would by pouring gunpowder into it and lighting it.

Bad dialogue: Col. Trautman tries to talk Rambo into the mission with "We didn't make you this fighting machine. We just chipped away the rough edges."

Rambo (2007)

Stars: Stallone, Julie Benz

The setup: Rambo is living out his life as a boatman in Thailand when missionaries ask him to ferry them upriver into Myanmar. Rambo does, then later must help mercenaries hired to save the missionaries from a sadistic guerrilla army. Rambo is told to stay behind with the boat. But we know Rambo doesn't play that way.